Writers: Vince Vaughn and Jacob Stern
Director: Shawn Levy
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Rose Byrne, Max Minghella, Tiya Sircar, Josh Brener, Dylan O'Brien, Tobit Raphael and Aasif Mandvi
Review Written By: Michael Dalton (Prime Minister)
Director: Shawn Levy
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Rose Byrne, Max Minghella, Tiya Sircar, Josh Brener, Dylan O'Brien, Tobit Raphael and Aasif Mandvi
Review Written By: Michael Dalton (Prime Minister)
Product placement is now a common and accepted aspect to modern film. Big franchises like the Bond films are essentially funded by it and whether you realize it or not, most films you see in the cinema today are continuing the advertising that preceded the start of the film. Some are subtle, others not so subtle…with Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol in particular being very up front about its endorsement of Apple products. The Internship however stakes its claim to become the new go to example for how advertising has overtaken and arguably ruined modern film. This is arguably, or even undoubtedly, more an advert for all the great things Google can do, is doing and a recruitment video for why you should work for Google, than a film. The film focuses on two men played by trusty partnership Vince Vaughn (Who also co-wrote this film) and Owen Wilson, who have lost their jobs because apparently nobody buys watches anymore…the way in which they lose their jobs and cannot find another is very quickly and questionably dealt with. However fear not because Vaughn has found them an internship at Google which ends up being a, “Mental Hunger Games” in which the winning team gets jobs at Google. Now Internet illiterate (Another plot stretch) Vaughn and Wilson must motivate their team of young tech outcasts to an unlikely victory.
The Internship is predictable, cheesy and a commercial more than a film but…I really enjoyed it. Yes this film has no surprises and yes its construction is rather objectionable however this film has a heart to it, a coziness to it and a spirit that was rather infectious and endearing. A big reason why this film works is due to the chemistry between Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. Established in Wedding Crashers, these two play off each other brilliantly and are a great comedic partnership that deserves future and further exploration. As the two fish out of water straight men they make the most of every scene and while their total lack of tech knowledge stretches credibility at times (As does this whole film) Vaughn and Wilson sell it and make it work. It is these two who ground and operate a film that in less experienced hands could have easily failed.
However this does not mean that there aren’t good performances in the supporting cast. Rose Byrne is delightful as always, Max Minghella plays the pantomime posh villain effectively and Josh Brener pulls off a part that could have been annoying. There is also a surprising appearance from one of America’s more famous comedy actors that was a nice, very funny treat. The Google commerciality of it all also isn’t that sickening, although perhaps I was enjoying the film enough that I was blinded to it. There are squirm inducing lines where employees talk about how they truly believe Google is making the world a better place and so on and so forth but ultimately this is a rather harmless, sweet, entertaining film that didn’t constantly feel like it was selling something and is an aspect of the film that is easy to get over and ignore unless you want it to bother you.
The humour isn’t particularly original, clever, edgy or even memorable. I’m struggling to remember certain jokes from it and I watched it yesterday but it is consistently amusing and funny while you’re watching it. Although unfortunately I do remember a misjudged joke that centered around the gang’s token Asian character played by Tobit Raphael, the contents of which seemed to solely be, he was the subject of education related child abuse because he’s Asian, oh isn’t that funny? Anyway it was the film’s heart rather than its humour, which is what truly won me over. The film is undeniably predictable and clichéd but something about the film, whether it was how it was performed, shot or scored worked and I found it a harmless pleasure to watch. As far as disposable, time wasting comedies go, you can do a lot worse than The Internship.
The Internship is predictable, cheesy and a commercial more than a film but…I really enjoyed it. Yes this film has no surprises and yes its construction is rather objectionable however this film has a heart to it, a coziness to it and a spirit that was rather infectious and endearing. A big reason why this film works is due to the chemistry between Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. Established in Wedding Crashers, these two play off each other brilliantly and are a great comedic partnership that deserves future and further exploration. As the two fish out of water straight men they make the most of every scene and while their total lack of tech knowledge stretches credibility at times (As does this whole film) Vaughn and Wilson sell it and make it work. It is these two who ground and operate a film that in less experienced hands could have easily failed.
However this does not mean that there aren’t good performances in the supporting cast. Rose Byrne is delightful as always, Max Minghella plays the pantomime posh villain effectively and Josh Brener pulls off a part that could have been annoying. There is also a surprising appearance from one of America’s more famous comedy actors that was a nice, very funny treat. The Google commerciality of it all also isn’t that sickening, although perhaps I was enjoying the film enough that I was blinded to it. There are squirm inducing lines where employees talk about how they truly believe Google is making the world a better place and so on and so forth but ultimately this is a rather harmless, sweet, entertaining film that didn’t constantly feel like it was selling something and is an aspect of the film that is easy to get over and ignore unless you want it to bother you.
The humour isn’t particularly original, clever, edgy or even memorable. I’m struggling to remember certain jokes from it and I watched it yesterday but it is consistently amusing and funny while you’re watching it. Although unfortunately I do remember a misjudged joke that centered around the gang’s token Asian character played by Tobit Raphael, the contents of which seemed to solely be, he was the subject of education related child abuse because he’s Asian, oh isn’t that funny? Anyway it was the film’s heart rather than its humour, which is what truly won me over. The film is undeniably predictable and clichéd but something about the film, whether it was how it was performed, shot or scored worked and I found it a harmless pleasure to watch. As far as disposable, time wasting comedies go, you can do a lot worse than The Internship.
Summary: It isn’t particularly original, surprising, and memorable or even honourable depending on the level of your objection to its commerciality. However The Internship makes up for all of that with a sweet tone, big heart and winning central duo.
Movie Parliament Rating: MINORITY GOVERNMENT
By Movie Parliament Prime Minister, Michael Dalton
Disagree with this review? Give us your thoughts in the comments below.
Movie Parliament Rating: MINORITY GOVERNMENT
By Movie Parliament Prime Minister, Michael Dalton
Disagree with this review? Give us your thoughts in the comments below.
RSS Feed
